Foster Care
Help to foster parents and those interested in beginning foster care. Fostering basics and tips
Make a Respite Foster Care Packet
Respite foster care allows foster parents to take a break while their foster child spends a few days with another foster family. A respite foster care packet is part of a properly planned respite weekend. Aside from a few updates to some basic information, this is something you only have to make once!
Respite foster care allows foster parents to take a break while their foster child spends a few days with another foster family. A respite foster care packet is part of a properly planned respite weekend. Aside from a few updates to some basic information, this is something you only have to make once!
Foster Care Printable Worksheets
Free foster care printable worksheets for foster parents. It's helpful to keep track of different foster care information with printable worksheets.
Free foster care printable worksheets for foster parents. It's helpful to keep track of different foster care information with printable worksheets.
Foster Care Record Keeping with Printable Worksheets
A large part of foster care is maintaining records and documentation. Keep track of foster care records with these printable worksheets and create your own record keeping system with a binder for each foster child and a set of printable worksheets.
A large part of foster care is maintaining records and documentation. Keep track of foster care records with these printable worksheets and create your own record keeping system with a binder for each foster child and a set of printable worksheets.
What Are the Top Reasons Children Enter the Foster Care System?
There are several hundred thousand children within the foster care system in the United States alone. Sadly, many homes have more than one of the following issues and a child enters the foster care system for numerous reasons.
There are several hundred thousand children within the foster care system in the United States alone. Sadly, many homes have more than one of the following issues and a child enters the foster care system for numerous reasons.
Foster Parenting Advice for a Child's First Day of School
Foster children have experienced a lot of loss and upon entering your foster home, have been through several changes. One bit of parenting advice I have to offer is to give them a couple of days before starting school.
Foster children have experienced a lot of loss and upon entering your foster home, have been through several changes. One bit of parenting advice I have to offer is to give them a couple of days before starting school.
Birth Parent Visitation During a School Day
Many foster children have missed a lot of school for a variety of reasons, before even coming into foster care. Once in foster care it seems like they can miss a lot more as they have several appointments during the week. One very important appointment is visitation with birth parents, but this can be challenging during a school day.
Many foster children have missed a lot of school for a variety of reasons, before even coming into foster care. Once in foster care it seems like they can miss a lot more as they have several appointments during the week. One very important appointment is visitation with birth parents, but this can be challenging during a school day.
What to Share in a Parent Teacher Meeting
During a parent teacher meeting, a lot of information can be shared, especially if a foster child is new to the school. Sometimes it's difficult as a foster parent to know what information is okay to share and if it's okay to share it with a teacher during a parent teacher meetings.
During a parent teacher meeting, a lot of information can be shared, especially if a foster child is new to the school. Sometimes it's difficult as a foster parent to know what information is okay to share and if it's okay to share it with a teacher during a parent teacher meetings.
Learn How to Be a Great Foster Parent in 5 Weeks
Most people become foster parents because they truly care about the children within the foster care system and most people want to be the best foster parents they can possibly be. I hope to lead you through the following lessons on the issues I believe are the most important in learning in order to be a great foster parent.
Most people become foster parents because they truly care about the children within the foster care system and most people want to be the best foster parents they can possibly be. I hope to lead you through the following lessons on the issues I believe are the most important in learning in order to be a great foster parent.
Great Foster Parents Understand the Importance of Culture and Lifebook
Great foster parents know that being great means creating and maintaining a lifebook. A lifebook provides answers to questions and helps a child make sense of a time within their lives where little sense can be found. Learn more about being a great foster parent.
Great foster parents know that being great means creating and maintaining a lifebook. A lifebook provides answers to questions and helps a child make sense of a time within their lives where little sense can be found. Learn more about being a great foster parent.
Great Foster Parents Use a Variety of Child Discipline Techniques
Great foster parents know that being great means utilizing different child discipline techniques to manage challenging behaviors. Learn more about being a great foster parent and how to best help foster children with their behaviors through child discipline.
Great foster parents know that being great means utilizing different child discipline techniques to manage challenging behaviors. Learn more about being a great foster parent and how to best help foster children with their behaviors through child discipline.
Is Foster Care for You?
Before jumping into foster care, most foster parents spend two or three years just thinking about it. Here are a few points to consider before making the final decision on whether or not to become foster parents.
Before jumping into foster care, most foster parents spend two or three years just thinking about it. Here are a few points to consider before making the final decision on whether or not to become foster parents.
Should I Foster?
An article with points to ponder while deciding on whether or not to be a foster parent.
An article with points to ponder while deciding on whether or not to be a foster parent.
How to Become a Foster Parent
While each state is different in the trainings offered and requirements mandated for foster homes, the starting point is basic enough that we can come up with a quick list of steps to take toward becoming a foster parent.
While each state is different in the trainings offered and requirements mandated for foster homes, the starting point is basic enough that we can come up with a quick list of steps to take toward becoming a foster parent.
What Does It Mean to 'Foster' a Child?
Being a foster parent means providing a foster child with new opportunities he may not have had the opportunity to experience without our care. To foster a child, means providing the love, encouragement and lots of nurturing.
Being a foster parent means providing a foster child with new opportunities he may not have had the opportunity to experience without our care. To foster a child, means providing the love, encouragement and lots of nurturing.
What Does the Word 'Foster' Mean?
What does the word 'foster' mean? Why do we call taking care of another person's child foster care anyway?
What does the word 'foster' mean? Why do we call taking care of another person's child foster care anyway?
Foster Parenting - What Does Foster Parenting Mean to You?
Foster parenting is a tough job, but so many of us continue to work with the children and families within the foster care system despite the challenges. What keeps you going as a foster parent? What does foster parenting mean to you? Share the good feelings that keep you going. Sometimes we all need to hear about the good stuff.
Foster parenting is a tough job, but so many of us continue to work with the children and families within the foster care system despite the challenges. What keeps you going as a foster parent? What does foster parenting mean to you? Share the good feelings that keep you going. Sometimes we all need to hear about the good stuff.
Foster Care System - How Would You Change the Foster Care System?
You don't have to be a foster parent to know that that there are always ways to improve upon the foster care system. It seems that no matter where we go in the world, the problems, concerns and short comings with the foster care system remain the same. So take this moment and share. No matter where you are in the world or how you play a part in the foster care system. If you could change it, w…
You don't have to be a foster parent to know that that there are always ways to improve upon the foster care system. It seems that no matter where we go in the world, the problems, concerns and short comings with the foster care system remain the same. So take this moment and share. No matter where you are in the world or how you play a part in the foster care system. If you could change it, w…
Foster Parenting Tips - What Are Some Foster Parenting Tips for Mento…
What has worked or not worked when other foster parents have tried to be a role model for birth parents at their foster child's school. Share your foster parenting tips and strategies to help birth parents learn how to be a part of their child's education or read the parenting tips of other experienced foster parents.
What has worked or not worked when other foster parents have tried to be a role model for birth parents at their foster child's school. Share your foster parenting tips and strategies to help birth parents learn how to be a part of their child's education or read the parenting tips of other experienced foster parents.
How to Mentor a Birth Parent at a Parent Teacher Meeting
Many birth parents do not know how to participate in a parent teacher meeting. Birth parents joining foster parents at a school conference is one way foster parents can mentor birth parents and help them be more involved in their child's education. Here are some tips to help be a role model to birth parents at a parent teacher meeting.[/p]
Many birth parents do not know how to participate in a parent teacher meeting. Birth parents joining foster parents at a school conference is one way foster parents can mentor birth parents and help them be more involved in their child's education. Here are some tips to help be a role model to birth parents at a parent teacher meeting.[/p]
When Birth Family Can't Make it to a Parent Teacher Meeting
Sometimes birth family can not attend parent teacher meetings or conferences. There are things that a foster parent can do to help the birth parent feel a part of their child's education. This is also great preparation for the birth parent once they are allowed to attend parent teacher meetings.
Sometimes birth family can not attend parent teacher meetings or conferences. There are things that a foster parent can do to help the birth parent feel a part of their child's education. This is also great preparation for the birth parent once they are allowed to attend parent teacher meetings.
Great Foster Parents Know How to Help a Child Grieve
Great foster parents know that being great means understanding the grieving child. Learn more about being a great foster parent and how to best help foster children with their grief and loss.
Great foster parents know that being great means understanding the grieving child. Learn more about being a great foster parent and how to best help foster children with their grief and loss.
Great Foster Parents Know How to Mentor Birth Family
Great foster parents know that being great means helping with family reunification. It may also mean mentoring a birth family. Learn more about how to be a great foster parent.
Great foster parents know that being great means helping with family reunification. It may also mean mentoring a birth family. Learn more about how to be a great foster parent.
Great Foster Parents Know How to Be a Part of a Professional Team
Great foster parents know that being great means working as a part of a professional team with social workers and a variety of others. This free parenting course teaches other foster parents how to be the best they can be while helping foster children.
Great foster parents know that being great means working as a part of a professional team with social workers and a variety of others. This free parenting course teaches other foster parents how to be the best they can be while helping foster children.
10 Things You Can Do Now to Be Ready to Do Foster Care Later
So you are thinking about fostering, but don't know if you are ready - so plan for a future of fostering with these 10 easy steps.
So you are thinking about fostering, but don't know if you are ready - so plan for a future of fostering with these 10 easy steps.
Should You Take a Foster Child with You on Family Vacation?
Plan a needed break this summer with a family vacation, but should foster children go with you? Consider these points when deciding whether to include a foster child in your family vacation plans this summer.
Plan a needed break this summer with a family vacation, but should foster children go with you? Consider these points when deciding whether to include a foster child in your family vacation plans this summer.
Have you successfully include a foster child on your family vacation?
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently. How did you successfully include a foster child on your family vacation?
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently. How did you successfully include a foster child on your family vacation?
The Pros of Including Foster Children in Your Family Vacation Plans
Family vacations can offer a lot of fun for you and your foster children. Check out this list of pros for taking your foster children with you on your next family vacation.
Family vacations can offer a lot of fun for you and your foster children. Check out this list of pros for taking your foster children with you on your next family vacation.
Questions to Ask Your Social Worker Before Taking a Foster Child
Questions for foster parents to ask social workers when they call about a foster child.
Questions for foster parents to ask social workers when they call about a foster child.
The Challenges of Foster Care
I have stated that being a foster parent is challenging but have neglected to really outline how it is challenging. I have started a list on how foster parenting can be challenging to aid others in making the decision on whether to be a foster parent or not.
I have stated that being a foster parent is challenging but have neglected to really outline how it is challenging. I have started a list on how foster parenting can be challenging to aid others in making the decision on whether to be a foster parent or not.
What is PS-MAPP?
PS-MAPP is just one foster parent training curriculum utilized by foster agencies to help prepare families for working with foster children and birth families.
PS-MAPP is just one foster parent training curriculum utilized by foster agencies to help prepare families for working with foster children and birth families.
Before You Celebrate the Holidays with Your Foster Children
Parenting foster children can be a challenge at any time of the year, but holidays can be extra stressful. Get 8 quick ideas of things to get done in your foster family before Christmas gets here and have time to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
Parenting foster children can be a challenge at any time of the year, but holidays can be extra stressful. Get 8 quick ideas of things to get done in your foster family before Christmas gets here and have time to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
What Is a CASA?
CASA volunteers or court appointed special advocates are very special people. They are everyday citizens who volunteer their time to advocate for a child. CASA are appointed by the judge to speak for an abused or neglected child in court.
CASA volunteers or court appointed special advocates are very special people. They are everyday citizens who volunteer their time to advocate for a child. CASA are appointed by the judge to speak for an abused or neglected child in court.
10 Surefire Ways to End a Friendship With a Fostering Friend
Does your friend do foster care and you'd like to learn how to support him/her? Well, here is a list of 10 suggestions of what not to say or do!
Does your friend do foster care and you'd like to learn how to support him/her? Well, here is a list of 10 suggestions of what not to say or do!
21 Foster Parenting Truths
A veteran foster parent shares some truths that he has come to accept after doing foster care for 17 years.
A veteran foster parent shares some truths that he has come to accept after doing foster care for 17 years.
Should Race Be a Factor When Deciding a Foster Family for a Child?
With so many children waiting for foster families - should race be an additional factor when choosing a foster home?
With so many children waiting for foster families - should race be an additional factor when choosing a foster home?
Foster Children and Your Extended Family During the Holidays
Foster children bring with them special challenges. Gatherings with the foster parent's extended family at the holidays add to this challenge. Here are some things to consider when planning the holidays.
Foster children bring with them special challenges. Gatherings with the foster parent's extended family at the holidays add to this challenge. Here are some things to consider when planning the holidays.
What Is a Safety Plan?
What is a safety plan and why are they used within foster homes? Learn some of the reasons why foster and adoptive families implement safety plans.
What is a safety plan and why are they used within foster homes? Learn some of the reasons why foster and adoptive families implement safety plans.
How to Create a Safety Plan
How to create a safety plan when children have unsafe behaviors within your home. Learn how to keep your family safe.
How to create a safety plan when children have unsafe behaviors within your home. Learn how to keep your family safe.
National Foster Parent Association
The National Foster Parent Association or NFPA is the only national voice for America's foster families. The NFPA advocates for foster children and foster families. They are currently raising funds and supplies for the foster children who have been victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The National Foster Parent Association or NFPA is the only national voice for America's foster families. The NFPA advocates for foster children and foster families. They are currently raising funds and supplies for the foster children who have been victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Fostering and Adopting Hurricane Katrina Orphans
Information on helping the youngest victims of our nations worst disaster. Learn how to obtain a foster care license in your home state to help Hurricane Katrina Children.
Information on helping the youngest victims of our nations worst disaster. Learn how to obtain a foster care license in your home state to help Hurricane Katrina Children.
Being Prepared for a Case Plan or Meeting With Social Workers
Fostering connections with social workers on your foster child's case is important to helping reunify a child's family and make for a smooth fostering experience for all involved.
Fostering connections with social workers on your foster child's case is important to helping reunify a child's family and make for a smooth fostering experience for all involved.
10 Things to do When Your Foster Children Don’t Get Along
What do you do when your foster care children don't get along? How can you establish peace within your foster home? Here are 10 ideas to help when doing foster care.
What do you do when your foster care children don't get along? How can you establish peace within your foster home? Here are 10 ideas to help when doing foster care.
11 Ways to Keep a Foster Family
11 easy ways for your foster care agency to maintain foster families. Concerns that are shared by many families.
11 easy ways for your foster care agency to maintain foster families. Concerns that are shared by many families.
The Cottage - Life in a Group Home
Terri shares stories from her time in a group home for teens. Learn what it's like for kids as she describes her experiences.
Terri shares stories from her time in a group home for teens. Learn what it's like for kids as she describes her experiences.
New Baby Daily Logs
What a great tool for adoptive or foster parents! Keep track of your adoptive or foster baby's feeding and diaper changes. Great to feel reassured that the infant is eating enough and a wonderful teaching tool to be used between foster and birth parents. Not to mention as a log for a foster family's files.
What a great tool for adoptive or foster parents! Keep track of your adoptive or foster baby's feeding and diaper changes. Great to feel reassured that the infant is eating enough and a wonderful teaching tool to be used between foster and birth parents. Not to mention as a log for a foster family's files.
Top 9 Adoption & Foster Care Gifts
What would make a great gift for someone who is an adoptive or foster parent? How about a birth parent? Try some of these ideas!
What would make a great gift for someone who is an adoptive or foster parent? How about a birth parent? Try some of these ideas!
Foster Care Map
Foster care map of the United States. Find more information by clicking on your state.
Foster care map of the United States. Find more information by clicking on your state.
Ten Ways to Destroy a Marriage with Foster Care
Foster care is stressful and can hurt a marriage if we don't do our best to be good partners in fostering. A tongue-in-cheek top ten list.
Foster care is stressful and can hurt a marriage if we don't do our best to be good partners in fostering. A tongue-in-cheek top ten list.
Teaching Foster/Adoptive Children How to Respond to Common Questions
Teaching your foster/adoptive child to respond to other kids' questions about being adopted or being in foster care. Teaching them how to keep things private and how not to tell too much information.
Teaching your foster/adoptive child to respond to other kids' questions about being adopted or being in foster care. Teaching them how to keep things private and how not to tell too much information.
Setting Up a Bedroom and Closet for Older Youth Adoption/ Foster Care
Listing of basic clothing, bedding, hygiene products, and toys for setting up a room for an older child adoption or foster care placement.
Listing of basic clothing, bedding, hygiene products, and toys for setting up a room for an older child adoption or foster care placement.
Activities for Kids in Foster Care
Ideas to help keep your kids busy during breaks from school. Saving your sanity and giving them something to do.
Ideas to help keep your kids busy during breaks from school. Saving your sanity and giving them something to do.
Famous Foster Kids
A growing list of famous foster children from Eddie Murphy to Marilyn Monroe.
A growing list of famous foster children from Eddie Murphy to Marilyn Monroe.
9 Ways to Help Children in Foster Care
So foster care isn't for you, or at least not right now. But you really want to help foster children and be a part of the solution? There are ways you can help! Actually, I came up with 9.
So foster care isn't for you, or at least not right now. But you really want to help foster children and be a part of the solution? There are ways you can help! Actually, I came up with 9.
12 Prayer Requests for Children in Foster Care
The following article is a list of needs to keep in our prayers when we consider foster children, their families, and the foster families and workers that serve them.
The following article is a list of needs to keep in our prayers when we consider foster children, their families, and the foster families and workers that serve them.
Can Foster Care Hurt a Marriage?
A great article written by Sheri & Bob Stritof, Marriage Guides for About.com.
A great article written by Sheri & Bob Stritof, Marriage Guides for About.com.
Child Abuse Risk Factors
What are the common causes or risk factors of child abuse? Why would anyone abuse his/her own child? Learn of the different factors that may lead to the abuse of a child.
What are the common causes or risk factors of child abuse? Why would anyone abuse his/her own child? Learn of the different factors that may lead to the abuse of a child.
Avoiding Child Abuse in Times of Stress: Coping Skills for Parents
Coping skills for parents for times of stress and depression. Avoid child abuse with a few simple tips.
Coping skills for parents for times of stress and depression. Avoid child abuse with a few simple tips.
What is a Foster Care Subsidy?
What are foster care subsidies? What does the money go for and where does it come from?
What are foster care subsidies? What does the money go for and where does it come from?
Foster Parenting and Potty Training - Working Together
Potty training a foster child can be a challenge, but also may present a wonderful opportunity of bonding and co-parenting with the birth family. Learn some things to think about when starting the potty training process.
Potty training a foster child can be a challenge, but also may present a wonderful opportunity of bonding and co-parenting with the birth family. Learn some things to think about when starting the potty training process.